I actually really enjoy the threes. In the twos, you see lots of meltdowns and tantrums mainly due to the inability to use the words to express their needs and frustrations. You also have the whining, and that is so very draining.

By the time they are 3, they usually have the ability to express their needs and emotions with their words. They might still need work on the whining, but the biggest piece of advice I can give to encourage them to "Use your words!". If someone is whining while they are asking for something; I calmly ask them to "Say it nicely." They don't get what they want until they have asked for it nicely. That includes their interactions with the other children, too. I often hear the kids say to each other "Say it nicely!"

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